Ultimate Hints & Tips | Blog Photography

Soz for the interval guys, I’ve been completely swamped with uni work: exams, coursework, projects – You name it, I’ve been stressin’ over it. I’ve almost completely disappeared from the Twitter world, and IG (@holstayy) has been my only blogging outlet. However, taking the time to focus on one aspect with all my attention has lead to come seriously eye-opening new Instagram, for lack of another word, photography tactics. After some time to reflect, I defo think I’ve levelled up in IG photography thanks to the gr8 new iPhone 7 camera. I think a few of you have noticed since this post has been one of the most highly requested ever, so here are my ultimate top tips and tricks to really get your blog photography game to top notch standards, with or without a fancy-ass camera.

1. Never underestimate the power of blog props

I know that every blogger & her best mate has a post on blog props, but I’m considering doing one soon as I really have invested in some wonderful props that have dun’me good in the past month or so of instagramming/blogging. Point is, if you’re considering buying that pretty tray, mug, fake fleurs, candles, and the usual suspects, remember that it is an investment in your blog, and you will get lots of use out of blog props if you are prone to a flat lay or two.

SHOP BLOG PROPS:

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2. Get a bloody tripod, lazy

This is something that I really wish I could have shouted at myself about a year ago, when I started getting really into my blogging/instagramming. Determined to not spend a dime, I stacked my lil iphone 6 on books, pots (yes, as in pots & pans), bookshelves, sofas, you name it – I’ve balanced my phone on it for that purrrfect IG shot.

Little did I know that a £20 Amazon order would forever change my blog photography game forever. I literally don’t know how I even coped before getting a tripod, as getting that shot has become so much faster, easier, and I can really experiment more with different types of shots, angles, etc.

3. Turn on ya grids

I tell people that this is seriously important for gr8 photos all the time, and it almost always gets brushed away as a non-essential. I can’t stress this enough, this is essential for me and my blog photography. It helps me to get the right proportion of (example) products in shot, and helps me to get the main focus of the image right in the centre for emphasis and to even everything out. Plus, if you don’t know what the Rule of Thirds (in photography) is, I really suggest you do a little bit of studying – there are plenty of great YouTube videos to get you started with the concept, don’t worry!

3. Is that my good angle?

Apart from the usual birds-eye view flat lay, I hadn’t really experimented much with varying angles in my shots. However, I really do find that it can add a dash of variety to a blog post and instagram feed, plus a tripod will really help you out with it – winner, winner. You can get pretty darn creative with angles and interacting with things in the image also adds depth to shots too.

I’d suggest spending an hour (or three, trust me) taking a variety of flatlays and the having a scroll through with a cuppa, being as critical as you can about your own photography! I often find that I’m kicking myself after I find out that my thumb is over part of the lens (yep, it happens) or that you can see me in all my glory, wrapped up in my dressing grown with 8am hair in the reflection of one of the products I’m photographing! It’s just as handy when you realise that you haven’t really captured the best angle of the product, or the entire flatlay, I can tell when things just look a bit “off” if you feel me.

4. To brighten or not to brighten?

There has been much debate about whether shots look better deep and contrasted, or light and colourful, and if you’ve had a peek at my instagram I’m definitely in favour of the latter. I really enjoy seeing airy, light images with pops of colour, or contrasting intense blacks and greys, so I try to create content that my eyes are drawn to. I think that’s the key thing here: take/edit your photos in a way that you would enjoy looking at them.

I love selectively brightening white areas of a photo and adding contrast where there are clear pops of colour, which add both depth and a dash of artsy-ness to an image. I’ve found that, I’m lessening the amount that I’m changing the entire images’ Brightness, and more oftenly increasing the Highlights instead to achieve the “brighter whites” crisp, clean feel to m’pics.

5. Filters ain’t dead

I have seen soooo many negative tweets about adding filters to blog photos, like “cringe, filters,” “I’m so over filters,” and “filters ruin photos” type-scenarios. I personally think that’s absolute bull.

Almost every time someone comments on my blog/IG photography it’s about how consistent the images are and how well they mesh together. Know why? Hint: I use filters. I use VSCO, the same 3 filters, with a low strength filter (lets say 3/4) – so all of my shots blend in with each other and look like a collection. And yep, I do this for my blog too to set the aesthetic of the post.

Filters are still very much alive and thriving, guys, we just need to adjust how we use them to really benefit.

If you have any questions pop a comment below or gimme a tweet: @thekittyluxeWhat are your ultimate blog photography tips?

I've got a tripod but I've never thought of using it for IG photos (why?!). The background I use is rectangular though, and drives me mad – I really need to invest in something bigger that I can take more detailed photos on. Steph – wwww.nourishmeblog.co.uk

Really made me smile when you said about seeing yourself in a dressing gown with bed hair in your photos, I relate so much haha! I love your asthetic, such beautiful photos. Lovely, helpful blog post xxxChloe / https://marblebeauty.co.uk/

I love this post. So honest and actually helpful. I like lighter images, but think I've overexposed a few, so will make more use of the highlight changes and turn down the filters a bit maybe. I always wonder how people fit outdoor shots in with pretty flatlays, any tips? Thanks for the great post! Tina xwww.teaisfortina.co.uk

Never have a clicked a post on Bloglovin' and saved it so quickly in my life. I studied Film at A Level, and have dabbled over the years, but recently have been wanting to get back into it properly. This post came exactly at the right time, and I have a feeling I will be returning to it again and again! Thank you Holly! x